3D Environment Artist (Unity, World Building & Scene Development) - Volunteer Ro

3D Environment Artist (Unity, World Building & Scene Development)
The Donovan’s Venom (501c3 Nonprofit)
Department:

Interactive Media Studio (Game Development)
Location:

Remote
Position Type:

Volunteer Role
Reports To:

Video Game Art Manager / Game Development Leadership
Position Overview
The

3D Environment Artist (Unity)

is responsible for creating and assembling immersive game environments, including landscapes, interiors, and world elements.
This role focuses on building cohesive scenes by combining modeling, texturing, lighting, and composition while ensuring environments perform efficiently in Unity.
Operating at the intersection of

environment art, level composition, and real-time engine implementation , this role is critical to delivering visually engaging and immersive game worlds.
Key Responsibilities
Environment Creation & World Building

Design and build 3D environments, including:
Outdoor landscapes
Interior spaces
Set pieces and world elements
Create immersive and visually cohesive worlds

Scene Assembly in Unity

Assemble environments within Unity
Place assets, configure scenes, and organize layouts
Ensure environments function correctly in-engine

Composition & Visual Storytelling

Use composition techniques to:
Guide player attention
Enhance storytelling
Create visually compelling scenes

Lighting & Atmosphere

Set up lighting in Unity to:
Enhance mood and tone
Improve visual quality
Balance lighting with performance

Texturing & Material Application

Apply textures and materials to environment assets
Ensure visual consistency and realism (or stylized direction)

Performance Optimization

Optimize environments for real-time performance, including:
Polygon counts
Level of detail (LOD)
Texture sizes
Maintain smooth performance

Asset Integration

Integrate assets created by:
3D modelers
Texture artists
Ensure proper scaling, placement, and functionality

Collaboration with Teams

Work with:
Art team (style and assets)
Developers (technical constraints)
Designers (level and gameplay alignment)
Ensure environments support gameplay

Iteration & Feedback

Revise environments based on feedback
Improve scenes through iteration
Adapt to evolving project needs

Documentation & Organization

Maintain organized scene files and assets
Follow naming conventions and workflows
Document environment setup processes as needed

Problem-Solving & Constraints

Adapt environments based on:
Technical limitations
Performance requirements
Balance visual quality with efficiency

Continuous Improvement

Improve environment design techniques
Stay current with Unity and environment art trends
Enhance overall world-building quality

Volunteer Commitment Expectations
Estimated Commitment:

10-15 hours per week
Flexible schedule
Participation in art and development meetings required
Fully remote

Minimum Qualifications
1–3 years of experience in:
3D environment art
Game art or level design
Experience with:
Unity
3D modeling tools (e.g., Blender)
Understanding of:
Scene composition
Lighting basics

Preferred Qualifications
Experience with:
Game asset pipelines
Level design collaboration
Experience working on game projects (indie or academic)
Experience in collaborative or remote teams

Core Competencies
Environment Art & World Building
Creates immersive and cohesive environments
Designs visually engaging scenes

Unity Scene Development
Builds and organizes scenes in-engine
Integrates assets effectively

Composition & Lighting
Uses visual techniques to enhance environments
Creates atmosphere and mood

Performance Optimization
Balances quality and performance
Prepares environments for real-time use

Collaboration
Works across art, design, and development teams
Aligns environments with gameplay

Attention to Detail
Maintains quality and consistency
Ensures precision in scene setup

Work Environment
Fully remote
Collaborative game development environment
Creative and production-focused workflow

Important Disclaimer
This is a volunteer position and does not constitute employment.
We are onboarding individuals who are ready to contribute immediately.
Please only apply if you are prepared to begin within the next 14 days.